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Grilling Face Off Gas or Charcoal

May 1, 2005 -- Grunt and fire up the grills gentlemen. It's the time of year when masculinity is proven with a dripping steak and sizzling burger. Men everywhere will face off this spring and each will take an importance stance on the age-old argument: gas or charcoal.



Men everywhere have their own secret recipes for success and while their methods are as different as sunshine and shade, there is a common ground. When it comes to grilling it's all about the flavor!



Mesquite grilled everything is always in style and since you can cook with wood on a charcoal grill, we'll chalk up one point in the flavor category for the charcoal grill.



"Wood lights faster and gets hotter; the real secret in locking in juices and flavor. Plus it gives flavor without chemical taste," says the founder of Gourmet Grills dot Net, Roger Styles. Styles recommends taking 'purity' a step further with charcoal grills like the Barbecook, which can be lit without lighter fluid. "Lighter fluid and propane are health hazards because of the hydrocarbons they release and that's not, personally, what I want to eat for dinner!"



The department of health also has concerns about excessive lighter fluid exposure. So, we'll share the lighter-fluid-free victory with both propane and charcoal lovers because of the recent improvements in grill designs.



But, we still haven't determined the issue at the heart of this sizzling debate. Can propane grills, in-fact, provide the best down home grilling flavor



"A recent study found that people can't taste the difference between burgers cooked with propane and coal even thought they could taste a difference in steaks," says grilling guru Olivier Vanneste. "So, for me flavor isn't the issue. Convenience is. With artificial heat you don't have to mess with tending the fire as much and it's a great way to cut your teeth as a beginner."



Charcoal lovers have to give a gracious point to their competitor on this one; because, gas grills require less supervision.



So, with the issue of flavor and convenience tackled most men around the country face just one more conundrum: if you can't impress a woman with your car, which grill will make her weak in the knees



Natural charcoal usually gets an a-plus for romance. It has the red glowing coals and small flames, which keep the ladies around the grill for Smores after dinner. Briquettes have a lot of gray ash and a 'camping feel'. If that's the mood you're looking for, just hold off on cleaning up until after a date, because the ash is bound to get messy. As for gas, it's all about speed and function. Gas grills don't have much charm, but a chef with lots of personality may not want a grill that competes for attention!



Of course, all grillers win when it comes to their waistline. Grilling is the ultimate low-fat cooking method. So, gas or charcoal aside everyone has an excuse to cook up a little fun this spring.

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